confusion/clarification.

[rgs2001uk]

Was in Ikea Bang Na the other day,

the following was written.

เรารู้คุณทำเองได้

Underneath was written in English.

we know you can do it yourself

Ok no problem with the above.

Underneath was written in Thai.

แต่เรายินดีช่วยคุณ

Underneath was written in English.

But you dont have to.

I would have translated it to read.

But we are happy to help you.

What have I missed, where have I gone wrong?

[Richard W]

Translations don't have to be literal.

[rexgraves]

It is intriguing isn't it?

The first part is word for word English and the second isn't.

If you translated word for word แต่คุณไม่ต้อง(ทำเอง) it says nothing about their service.

[MaeJoMTB]

yindee = pleased

translation

But we're pleased to help you.

Generally the people who write the signs speak no English.

So they make many mistakes when they copy stuff around.

[AyG]

Generally the people who write the signs speak no English.

So they make many mistakes when they copy stuff around.

That statement strikes me as spectacularly ignorant.

In this case what has happened is that IKEA has taken part of the slogan that doesn't translate literally into Thai and produced a slogan that works well in the language. There are no mistakes here, just smart thinking.

[katana]

Looks like it's from IKEA where they offer extra services for their home furnishings eg delivery, installation etc:

"IKEA Services
You can do it yourself.
But you don’t have to."

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/service-offer/